{finding joy in the journey...}: Week in the Life {HUGS, Visits, Breaking Isolation, Grandma's Funeral}

Another week of June has passed, and this week we got to make a lot of memories.
We are thankful!

Sunday, June 14th
We started Sunday with church at home after our brunch. We used the Crossing Church's lessons and the kids again enjoyed their study. These two really love the drawing portion of their lesson!

Afternoon was for swim play time. Even Evie got in on the action.

Don't fret - Mike's right outside the picture. This baby will dump herself forward to get in the water fully.

I asked Mike to hang a line to hook up floaties and pool gear and Fix-It Sam got in on the action. He's been extra cute lately.

Ruby getting her outside time.

Post swim popsicle. We were supposed to share but Evie bites them instead of licks. Hog.
(Thanks for having dye free this year, Wal-Mart.)

Love songs from my quarantine BFF...

To end Sunday these two built a bed fort and then so sweetly asked to sleep in it. They've become very sweet friends over isolation/quarantine.

Monday, June 15th
We ran up to a nearby town and Mia snagged a new to her 16" bike. There was a rack outside a thrift store that I'd noticed when Mike and I were there Saturday on our date, but they were closed then, so a second trip was necessary. She outgrew her 12" bike and wanted a bigger one, but, as you may well know, bikes are sold out everywhere. She insisted on buying this one herself, even though Mommy offered, and I think it was money well spent. She was also happy to find out her money went to a Bibles for Missions cause. Mia didn't get to go in (mom's not ready for that yet), but she did get to get out of the van and try out/pick a bike from the rack! Nice wheels, miss Moo!

Zayden's having some season confusion....

He's such a card. He's also really into Wild Kratts right now - can you tell?

He's a lizard!

The kids enjoyed a week of summer break and no school with lots of imaginative play, outside time, swimming, and some sporadic TV/electronic time.

So thankful for big sister's willing hands.

Tuesday, June 16th
Breakfast with ornery. Ev and I are enjoying sleeping in a little some mornings - when she cooperates.

The Picture This Clothing company we love had a contest for Father's Day shirts. They didn't choose a winner based on artwork - just drew a name from the participants. None of our crew was chosen, but I thought their shirts were darling.
By Zayden - me and Daddy playing soccer.

Xavier - super Dad! (we're all on the bottom, and Dad is holding Evie)

Natalee - playing catch with Dad

Ameliya - Dad and I walking outside

Zayden and Mia built a fort!

I took the time that the older 4 were playing and Evie was napping to make a big batch of cookies. The kids found me when the good scent started wafting, though.

Wednesday, June 17th

Another simple day.

Evie and I have been reading in the afternoons. She can make and elephant sound!

Logging their hours for the summer reading program through the library!

Natalee and Xavier made supper pretty much on their own.

We had to do a fridge shuffle Wednesday evening - our garage fridge was giving us fits so Phil and Sara brought one up and we put it in the house and the house one in the garage. Oofta. It was as much work as it sounds like. We're grateful for Phil and Sara's willingness to make the trip up and to help. I stayed up late and mopped, vacuumed, and got the house back in order because I knew how glad I'd be the next morning, even though I was exhausted.

Thursday, June 18th
Yep, I was glad I'd stayed up and gotten those things done!

Thursday brought a visit from Theo and Lorn Lorn! We haven't gotten to see their faces up close and TOUCH them since early March. We are so grateful for huggins!

After some playtime and chicken nugs we got in a little pool play.

The boys were in and out of the water, they jumped, they ran, they played water table, and then they finally had some popsicles. The air was so thick and sticky on Thursday.

We came in to cool down for awhile after swimming, and while Evie napped. Aunt Lauren tamed Mia's hair, and then we visited while the kids played.

After Evie woke up, we went to ride bikes.

We introduced Theo to townie riding and took him over to the good sidewalks at the campus.

Saying good-bye was so hard. How does a day pass so quickly with company?

Evie also got a new tooth on Thursday! #3

Friday, June 19th
Happy 5th birthday to our niece, AJ!
Friday I re-worked the slideshow I'd made for Grandma Betty's funeral that was the following day. It kept erring on a couple of photos and, with a lot of determination, a few tears, and some prayers, I finally realized why and got it corrected. Papa Curtis came up to see us and bail us out of trouble - again! Our van had been acting up so he took it home to doctor and left us Grandma's nice new van! We'll be sad to trade back and are cash shopping for a new ride for ourselves!
We had a really nice visit with Papa and he brought frosties from Wendy's! The only picture I took all day...
LOL
Zayden in his long underwear like Papa wears.

Mike took a bereavement day Friday and he managed the house while I worked on the slideshow. I was thankful he was able to be home.

Saturday, June 20th

Saturday was a hard day. We were up early to be in Lancaster in plenty enough time for Mike to set up for the slideshow and for us to meet with our immediate family for a meal before Betty's funeral. Thank you to the LCC ladies who hosted the meal for us. I had prepped the night before, so oatmeal was ready for the oven, bags were packs, and clothes were laid out, which helped the morning go pretty smoothly.

I coordinated our outfits, which would have made for a cute picture with more willing subjects. Ha. They are still sweet.

It's been months since we've really gotten to see our nieces/cousins and we're grateful for the day we got to spend together. I'm also thankful I took this picture shortly after arriving at the church when they were all fresh, clean, and stain free. It didn't last.

We've missed these beautiful girls so much!

Besties...

We all had the opportunity to make a card/letter/etc to put in Betty's box. The boys asked me to take pictures of theirs. The girls chose not to show me what they made.
Xavier -

Zayden drew him and Grandma Betty outside her house. I love that his flowers are as big as his house - he sees beauty.

Even after months apart, sweet little Isa still chose Uncle Mike over Gigi. Also, Uncle Mike looks darn good in his suit.

The service was lovely. It was very family oriented, which would be how I described Betty. We hung back during the visitation, as we're still uncomfortable around too many people. No one in particular - just pandemic society - but we're thankful for everyone who came to celebrate Betty's life with us, and those who sent us their thoughts and prayers in recent days and weeks.

Graveside was immediate family only.

After Betty's service, we changed clothes and changed modes a bit and celebrated AJ's 5th birthday. We were tired, but it was good to still have a reason to stay together, because no one was ready to part ways just yet.